Why India's Two Newly Inaugurated Consulates in Russia Hold Industrial Importance For New Delhi-Moscow Ties

Moscow: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on a crucial visit to Moscow ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s expected trip to India next month, inaugurated two new Indian consulates in Russia on Wednesday.The

consulates have been opened in the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg and Kazan. Inaugurating them, Jaishankar said the new establishments would boost trade, tourism, economic, scientific, technological, academic, and cultural ties between the two countries.Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko and India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar were also present at the opening ceremony.“This is a very important day in the diplomatic history of India in the Russian Federation,” Jaishankar said, recalling his earlier diplomatic assignments at the Indian Embassy in Moscow.“This is an important day for us, when we are adding two more Consulates General in this country… Over the last few months, consistent work has been underway to establish these consulates.” Jaishankar added acknowledging the support received from the Russian government.

New Indian Consulate in Russia’s ‘Third Capital’ Yekaterinburg

Jaishankar noted that Yekaterinburg is often called the third capital of Russia due to its industrial importance and serves as a gateway to Siberia.The city is known for heavy engineering, gem cutting, defence manufacturing, metallurgy, nuclear fuel, chemicals, and medical equipment.“The opening of the consulate will give impetus to strengthen technological, scientific, economic, and trade collaborations between Indian and Russian industries,” Jaishankar said.

Consulate in Kazan

Kazan, one of Russia’s most visited cities, hosted the 2024 BRICS summit attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“I had the pleasure of going there myself, after Moscow and St Petersburg, and with good reasons,” Jaishankar remarked.He described Kazan as a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic hub that acts as a bridge between Russia and the rest of Asia.The consulate, he said, will help strengthen people-to-people ties by encouraging cross-cultural exchanges and participation in ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation).Kazan is also known for oil production and refining, fertilisers, automobiles, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and electrical equipment.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

EAM Jaishankar said he is confident that with the opening of the two new consulates, there will be a further strengthening of India-Russia ties, marking a new phase in our relationship.He added that the consulates will “not only enhance our diplomatic presence” in Russia but act as a catalyst to boost trade, tourism, and collaborations in economic, scientific, technological, academic, and cultural fields.“The consulates will contribute to our joint efforts in increasing bilateral trade to USD 100 billion by 2030 as envisaged by the leaders,” he said.In July 2024, India and Russia set a target of USD 100 billion in annual trade by 2030 and vowed to develop a robust bilateral payment settlement mechanism using national currencies.The two sides also signed nine agreements to broaden cooperation across multiple sectors following summit talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Putin. Modi’s two-day visit to Russia last year was his first since the start of the Ukraine war.Jaishankar further highlighted the sizeable Indian diaspora in Russia, which includes more than 30,000 Indian students.With inputs from PTI